 |
|
| Press Release Number: E200303101 | 10-Mar-03 |
SHARP Program Enters LRIP II |
|
| Written by Nicolette Cormier Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River, MD - The SHAred Reconnaissance Pod (SHARP), the latest technology in tactical reconnaissance, has made its way to the fleet providing a quantum leap in capabilities for the U.S. Navy's F/A-18 program. Recent approval by Rear Admiral James B. Godwin, III, Program Executive Officer for Tactical Aircraft, gave the SHARP program the green light to enter the next phase of Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP). "The SHARP system brings to the table a superior infrared system that will provide the warfighter with a significantly improved capability over current systems", said Sharon Wright, TACRECCE program manager for the NAVAIR F/A-18 Program Office. "The timeliness of the SHARP data will be improved because of the digital nature of the system and datalink capability." The contract is two-fold. The first was awarded to Raytheon Technical Services Corporation for eight SHARP systems and for the integration of the subsystems into the pod. The contract valued at approximately $19 million, also includes operational parts and spares. Additionally a contract valued at approximately $19 million was awarded to Recon Optical (ROI) for eight sensors (four high altitude sensors and four medium altitude sensors). The sensor contract includes an option to buy spare sensors. SHARP will replace the current Carrier Air Wing tactical reconnaissance capability provided by the F-14 Tactical Air Reconnaissance Pod System (TARPS). Day and night operations, with day standoff ranges out to 45 nautical miles will be possible. A broadband data link will enable immediate response to time-critical targets. P3I capabilities will involve all-weather operations and integration into the Super Hornet precision strike architecture. "These eight LRIP pods will provide two additional squadrons with SHARP capability" said Wright. "As the F-14 squadrons are transitioned to F/A-18F's, each squadron will be outfitted with four SHARP pods." SHARP's cameras offer a much greater Electro-optic (EO) capability over the Electro Optical cameras deployed today. Operating concurrently in the visual and infrared spectrums, the cameras offer stereo dual-band imagery at a rate of up to 10,000 square miles of imagery an hour. The dual band imagery will give tactical reconnaissance the ability to clearly distinguish man-made from natural objects. The pod, which weighs approximately 2100lbs, is 188 inches in length, with a height and width of 29 inches. It is carried on the F/A-18E/F centerline and is equipped with a long-range EO/IR sensor; or a medium range EO/IR sensor, as well as a real time data link that is compatible with the distributed common ground station (DCGS). The design incorporates a rotating mid-section to optimize coverage, to protect the window by allowing stowage under the strongback, and to reduce the size and life cycle expense of large fixed windows. The SHARP is compatible with the C/D/E/F variants of the F/A-18. Fleet introduction of the system will be on the F/A-18F Super Hornet for its early operational deployment on USS Nimitz (CVN 68). "This is a major milestone for the SHARP program," said Captain Jeffrey Wieringa, NAVAIR program manager for the F/A-18. "SHARP is another piece in the mosaic of Sea Power 21. The superior tactical reconnaissance SHARP provides will enable immediate response to time critical targets. This system will provide a significant contribution to FORCEnet, Sea Strike and further increased F/A-18 lethality. I've talked with the crews from VFA-41 that have flown it - and they said it was, awesome." NAVAIR provides advanced warfare technology through the efforts of a seamless, integrated, worldwide network of aviation technology experts. From professional training to carrier launch; from sensor data to precision targeting; from aircraft and weapons development to successful deployment; from real-time communication to aircraft recovery NAVAIR provides dominant combat effects and matchless capabilities to the American warfighter. For more information about the SHARP program please contact Denise Deon Wilson, Public Affairs Officer for PEO-T at 301-481-6263 or deond@navair.navy.mil. # # # |
|
|
NEWSLETTER
|
| Join the GlobalSecurity.org mailing list |
|
|
|
